Nova Scotia Power’s New Headquarters is the First LEED-Certified Building in Atlantic Canada

Nova Scotia Power's new energy-efficient headquarters in Halifax is the first building in Atlantic Canada to achieve LEED certification! Toronto-based WZMH Architects’ design strategy included partial utilization of a power plant structure that remained on the site after being decommissioned in 1999. Some of the high volume spaces that once housed the plant’s equipment were preserved and enveloped with state-of-the-art materials.

The building sits on a 5-acre site to the south of Halifax, Canada, and it connects the city to the waterfront. Its entrance is dominated by exposed steel framework reminiscent of the industrial look of the former power plant. The atrium reveals several transparent bridges and staircases winding upwards to provide access to office spaces. The Galleria preserves the memory of the old building through skylights positioned at the bases of 4 chimney stacks that were torn down before the Headquarters broke ground.

Sea water cooling and heating systems utilize existing piping from the Halifax harbor previously used to cool power-generating turbines. A heat recovery system, solar water heating, daylighting, and occupancy lighting sensors all help to reduce the building’s energy consumption. Steel from the old plant was recycled, while concrete rubber was used to adjust the site grades west of the building.